Electrical connecter



Jam 3, .1939.,l l M, B. CAMERON 2,142,175

I ELECTRICAL CONNECTER Filed March 26, 1938 Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The Westinghouse Air Brake Company,

Wil-

merding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 26, 1938, Serial No. 198,241

4 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic couplers for railway cars, and more particularly to an electrical connecter mechanism adapted to be employed for connecting electric train line circuits between cars of a train.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an improved electrical connecterdevice of the type adapted to be carried on an automatic coupler head, which device embodies a movable butt contact member having means associated therewith for establishing a secure but readily detachable connection between the contact member and the train wire or cable, and a weatherproof casing including a flexible shield adapted to prevent access of moisture to the interior of the device past the outer end of the movable contact member.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear in the following detailed description thereof, taken with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a plan View of a pair of operatively engaged car coupler heads showing my improved electrical connecter mechanism applied thereto; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view of an electrical connecter constructed according to my invention; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4 -4 of Fig. .2; Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a portion of the clamping members shown in Figs. 2 and 3; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail View of the conical sleeve element shown in Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. 1 oi the drawing, an electrical connecter I4 embodying the invention is applied to each of a pair of counterpart oar and pipe coupling mechanisms comprising coupler heads I0 provided with inclined interengaging recesses II and projections I2. Each electrical connecter I4 is mounted on the associated coupler head I0 in alignment with the projection I2 and recess II thereof, so that when the coupler heads on adjacent cars are brought into coupling engagement, the iinal movement as the coupler heads are locked together will be in the direction of the inclination of the recesses I I, with the result that the contact members of the connecters I4, hereinafter described, are rmly engaged.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawing, the electrical connecter I4 comprises a tubular casing I5, preferably made of cast iron, having formed thereon a plurality of bracket lugs I6 which are suitably apertured for receiving bolts I1, by means of which the casing is mounted on the coupler head,

as shown in Fig. 1. Formed within the tubular.

casing I4 is a longitudinal bore I9, annular raised portions 20 of the wall of which bore are suitably finished to receive a cylindrical insulating member 2l, which may be formed of any durable material such as Bakelite, and which is adapted to have a snug iit with the portions of the cylinder wall. A bushing 23 having several apertures is iitted within the longitudinal bore of the cylindrical member 2 I, this bushing being preferably molded into the material of which the in- 10' sulating Vmember is formed. The bushing 23, which may be made of grass or other suitable metal, is disposed intermediate the open ends of the bore of the insulating member 2I, one end of the bushing forming an annular shoulder 25 15 adjacent an enlarged portion of the bore.

The train wire with which the electrical connecter is associated comprises the usual copper conductor 21 covered with a durable insulating material 28, the conductor and the insulating ma- 20 terial being provided with an outer weather-resistant covering 29, which may consist of flexible rubber tubing. As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, the end of the conductor 21 is exposed and projects a suitable distance beyond the insulation 25 28, a portion of which insulation is likewise freed from the tubing 29. The exposed end of the conductor 21 is thus adapted to be inserted through a suitable bore in a clamping nut member 30, which has formed on one end thereof a lplurality of lugs 3| adapted to be swaged inwardly so as to grip the insulation 28, as is best shown in Figs.

3 and 5. On the opposite end of the clamping nut member 30 is formed an enlarged annular portion 33, which is adapted to be slidingly tted within the brass bushing 23 and is interiorly Y threaded to receive a similarly threaded end 34 of a butt contact member 35, the outer end 36 of which is adapted to engage a similar contact member of a counterpart electrical connecter when adjacent coupler devices are locked together, as shown in Fig. 1. Both the clamping nut 33 and the contact member 35 may be made of bronze. Y

The inner end 34 of the contact member 35 has 45 a longitudinally disposed tapered bore 38 into which the free end of the conductor 21 is adapted to extend. Interposed between the end 34 and the conductor 21 is an elongated bronze sleeve member 39, which is made in the form of a frustum of a cone and is provided with a longitudinal slit 40 for enabling it to be tightly pressed against the conductor 21 as the clamping nut 3|] and the contact member 35 are screwed together. It will be noted that the contact member 35 is provided 55 the same material as the tubular shield 55.

shield G2 comprises a flange portion 63 having an with a hexagonal portion 42 to which a wrench may be applied when the parts are being assembled. It will thus be seen that the means by which the butt contact member 35 is detachably secured to the conductor or train Wire 21 serves to insure a perfect electrical connection between said elements.

A coil spring 44 is disposed around the contact member 35 between the hexagonal portion 42 thereof and a pair of counterpart semicircular retainer elements 45 abutting the bushing shoulder 25 for urging the contact member 35 outwardly. The portion of the contact member 35 outwardly of the hexagonal portion 42 is slidably guided in a bushing 46 secured in an insulating member 41, which is mounted in the casing I5 and has a sleeve portion 48 extending within and engaging the cylindrical insulating member 2 I. The bushing 46, which may be made of brass, is preferably molded into the Bakelite or other suitablesubstanceof which the insulating member 41 is made.l For insuring a tight joint, a gasket 49 Vmay be interposed between a shoulder portion 50 of the insulating member 41 and the end of the insulating member 2l. The insulating member 41 is held in place within the casing l5 by. means of retainer screws 5|, which extend through suitably threaded apertures formed in the casing l5 into an annular groove 52 formed in the insulating member.

As a further feature of my invention, the electrical connecter is provided with sealing means preventing access of dirt or moisture to the interior of the casing. As shown in Fig. '2 of the drawing, a flexible Vtubular shield is provided, which shield may be made of any suitable material such as rubber composition and has formed on-one end thereof an annular ilange 56, which is secured within the casing l5 between an annular shoulder portion 51- thereof and the end of the cylindrical insulating member 2|. 'I'he flexible' shield 55 surroundsY the protective covering 29 of thetrain cable and is so formed that, with the outerl portion 58 of the shield securely clamped against the cable by meansI of a clamping member 59, an annular fold 60 is provided in the centralportion of the shield, so that yielding movement yof the ,cable and associated contact elements with respect to the connecter casing 50 -may be eiTec-ted during the coupling operationwithout straining said shield.

At the end of the electrical connecter I4 adjacent-the butt contact member 35 there is provide-d a flexible shield 62, which may be made of The interiorly disposed annular bead 64 adapted to t snugly within an annular groove formed in the outer portion of the insulating member 41,'and an inclined exible web-portion 66, which eX- tendsV outwardly from the ilange portion 63 and terminates in a relatively thick annular sealing portion 61 surrounding the outer end of the contact member 35. The annular sealing portion 61- of the shield 62 is adapted to grip the contact member 35 in such a way that when the Contact member 35 is engaged by the counterpart contact member of another coupler mechanism as adjacent cars in a train are coupled together, the resultant yielding movement of the contact member 35 against the spring 44 will cause flexing of the web portion 66, while the sealing porion 61 will be distorted and retracted with thecontact member until the outer surface ofbfthe sealing portionis engagedwith the .cor-

responding portion of the counterpart coupling device. It will be noted that an annular chamfer 69 is formed in the outer surface of the sealing portion 61 to accommodate displaced material as the shield is distorted in the manner above explained. Similarly, with the Ilexible shield 62 secured in place upon the insulating member 41, as shown in Fig. 2, the inclined web portion 66 defines-a sufficient space 10 between the sealing portion 61 and the insulating member to permit the desired inward flexing.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it will be apparent that the electrical connecter constructed in accordance therewith is adapted to be quickly assembled, and may be readily taken apart if desired, as for inspection or repairs. In addition, the electrical connecter is providedwith exible weather-resistant shield means for .preventing access of dirt or moisture to the interior of the casing, which flexible means is adaptedto cooperate with the movable elements of the connecter so that wear of said shield means is reduced to a minimum.

AlthoughV a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it is not my intention to limit its scope to that embodiment or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims;

Having now described my invention, what I Claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pattent, is:

1. In an electrical connecter for a train line, in combination, a casing having an opening therethrough, insulator means removably mounted in said casing and having a bore adapted to receive the end of the train line, a butt contact member movably mounted in said insulator means and extending outwardly of said casing, demountable means securing said contact member in electrical connection with said end of the train line, and a flexible weather-resistant shieldclosing the opening at one vend of said casing and having a sealing portion adapted to grip said contact member, said sealingportionof the shield being adapted to ilex upon movement of said contact member so as to maintainfa tight t therewith at all times for insuring 4minimum wear.

2. An'electric train line connecter comprising, in combination, a casing having an opening through which the train line is adapted to extendA insulator means removably secured in the opening and havinga bore, a butt contact member yieldably mounted in said bore, means freely disposed within said insulator means and detachably connecting said contact member with saidtrain line, a flexibley weather-resistant sleeve member having a portion'surrounding and snugly fitting jsaid `train-line and another portion secured withinthe opening at one end of said casing, and a flexibleA weather-resistant shield closing the other :open end. of said casing and having an apertured portionencircling and'tightly gripping saidY contact member, said flexible sleeve member andshield beingadapted to yield upon movement of said contact member and train line so as always topreventaccess of foreign matter into said cas- 111222."

3. In an electric train line connecter, the combinatiomwitha train wire having an insulating cover, of acasing having a bore adapted to receive an .exposed end of said wire, a clamping member having a portion gripping said insulating cover and an annular portion-encircling said exposed end of the trainwire, a yielding tapered sleeve. elementuttedv oni-the end -of saidwire within said annular portion, and a butt contact member yieldably mounted on said casing and provided With a portion having a tapered bore, said portion being forcibly interposed between said sleeve element and said annular portion of the clamping member for maintaining electrical connection between said contact member and said train wire.

4. In an electric train line connecter of the type adapted to be coupled to a counterpart connecter in combination, a casing having an opening, a butt Contact member suitably mounted in said casing and extending outwardly through said opening, and a Weather-resistant shield comprising a resilient ring portion having retainer means for securing said shield to said casing, a flexible annular web portion sloping inwardly from said ring portion, and a relatively thick resilient sealing portion formed on said web portion and having an aperture through which said contact member projects, said sealing portion being adapted to tightly grip said contact memberfor preventing frictional wear of said portion during movement of said contact member in coacting with the counterpart connecter, and being also adapted to yield sufficiently during such movement to effect engagement of said sealing portion with that of the counterpart connecter.

MOR'I'IM'ER B. CAMERON. Y 

